Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.5.17
Āśraya· The supreme shelterKnow the Supreme Cause Through Devotion
“[Nārada Muni had said that there is a house made of twenty-five elements. The Haryaśvas understood this analogy.] The Supreme Lord is the reservoir of the twenty-five elements, and as the Supreme Being, the conductor of cause and effect, He causes their manifestation. If one engages in temporary fruitive activities, not knowing that Supreme Person, what benefit will he derive?”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord is the reservoir of the twenty-five elements and the conductor of cause and effect. Inquiry should therefore seek the Supreme Person, not stop at temporary activities.
- The cosmic manifestation expands from the energies of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Matter is His inferior energy, and the living entity is His spiritual energy.
- The Supreme Person behind everything can be understood only through devotional service. Human life should cultivate this knowledge rather than pursue temporary happiness and sense gratification.
Try this today
Reread the purport’s explanation of the Lord’s two energies and write one sentence distinguishing matter from the living entity.
Ask yourself
How can my desire for knowledge lead me toward devotional service rather than temporary recognition?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.